One of the few people doing good political hip hop these days, Akbar steps things up a notch on "God Stress America", his take on the World Trade bombing. Not everyone will agree with the harsh bigger-they-come-the-harder-they-fall theme, but it's nice to have at least some hip hop part ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

A trippy, soulful surprise from Aloe Blacc – the mic side of the Cali hip hop duo Emanon – who seems poised to make the transition from Cali hip hop to progressive soul! The backdrop of "Want Me" is a deep, pulsing electronic wall of sound with slow-building effects raining ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Two nice posse cuts featuring Jedi Mind Tricks, Bahamadiah, 7L & Esoteric, Virtuoso and Chief Camanche. The production here is the best of the underground post-Wutang sound with some nice spoken vocal samples and nice tempo changes. Imagine what RZA's production would sound like if kept ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Two sweet electro groovers from Ata Kak – originally issued on cassette back in the 90s, but very much at home here on a 12" single! "Daa Nyinaa" has this playful, bouncy house rhythm at the start – peppered with keyboards over the bassline – then a very cool vocal ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Rare work from Aurra – work from their years after Salsoul Records, but every bit as great – and still with that lean, mean groove that made the duo so wonderful! "Somethin Tells Me" percolates with a nice jagged guitar riff alongside the rhythms – and "Never ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

The BCG is the Bob Crewe Generation – a sweet 70s disco ensemble led by the 60s soundtrack king. Here, they've got a tightly percolated sound that reminds us of Barry White at his best – strings soaring over strong syncopation, with some chorus female vocals bubbling in amidst the ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Standout EP of classic tracks by the Bee Gees from Saturday Night Fever – originally only issued as a promo-only 12" single! With extended versions of "Stayin Alive", "Night Fever", More Than A Woman" and "You Should Be Dancing". 12-inch, Vinyl record

A nice sampler of tunes from Big Pooh's solo album Sleepers – produced by 9th Wonder, Pooh's beat architect in Little Brother! That rock solid, sample spun NC sound you loved on LB's Listening LP is the backbone of the Pooh sound, too – so you should find much to love here. "Scars ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Solid couple of cuts from independent hip hop survivor Blu – with production by Bombay. Includes "The Return" from the Good To Be Home album, plus the non-album track "Thriller" feat Sene, Definite & Co$$. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A sweet little record that definitely lives up to its title – as the whole thing offers up a blinding mix of live percussion over shifting rhythm patterns – with a sound that shows that the acoustic is still very much superior to the electric! "Disna Ngai" is a long ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Great stuff! "Dazz" is the group's super-huge hit, and a stone classic! The track's got a percolated funky groove that's ensured the tune a long long life – and which has lead to more than a few samples over the years! 12-inch, Vinyl record

3 tracks from The Brothers' Don't Stop Now album – issued here on a sweet little promo single! "Brothers Theme" and "Make Love" are both sweeping disco numbers – nice use of strings, and some strong lead instrumentation from Bhen Lanzaroni on piano and keyboards. ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Completely sublime! Shuggie Otis first wrote and recorded "Strawberry Letter 23", but it took The Brothers Johnson, and some smooth Quincy Jones production to make it a hit! The track loses none of it's original trippy soul in this version – and if anything, the better vocals ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

Rare promo-only 12" single that features one of James' best funk numbers from the late 70s. The sound is tight and hard, with a killer approach that showed James taking on disco with full strength. 12-inch, Vinyl record

(In a printed promo sleeve, with some wear and a sticker spot on back.)

A sweet disco groover from Lou Courtney's Buffalo Smoke project – and a remake of Marvin Gaye's classic Motown number! Lou takes the tune to a whole new place on the single – slowly building up the rhythm, throwing in some female chorus vocals, then hitting a surprisingly soulful vocal ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

A sweet disco groover from Lou Courtney's Buffalo Smoke project – and a remake of Marvin Gaye's classic Motown number! Lou takes the tune to a whole new place on the single – slowly building up the rhythm, throwing in some female chorus vocals, then hitting a surprisingly soulful vocal ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record

The man who's been a guest MC on more records and mixtapes than we can count, takes on LL in the second round of their ongoing battles. The b-side is the cut that got us open on him, the same track as the "N!gga We Roll With" 12-inch. 12-inch, Vinyl record

THE standout cut from Central Line – a track so big that it got the group noticed over here on our side of the Atlantic, and forever gave them a place in the hallowed halls of 80s groove! The tune chugs along at a great roller skating rhythm – with some spare use of keyboards that ... read more12-inch, Vinyl record